10 Best Things to Do in Belgium

Located in the heart of Brussels, the Grand-Place is known as one of the most beautiful squares in the world. This landmark had humble beginnings, starting as a market square centuries ago. Now it’s home to gorgeous baroque and gothic buildings and gleaming, gilded statues.

You can spend an entire day exploring this bustling square. Pay a visit to the City Hall Museum to dive into the city’s history, join a guided tour around the historic Town Hall or just people-watch from a café terrace. In mid-August, the square is covered with an enormous carpet of colourful begonias. In winter, it transforms into a festive wonderland complete with a Christmas market and an ornate Christmas tree.

Gravensteen Castle, also known as the Castle of the Counts, is located in Ghent’s historic Patershol neighbourhood. Built in the 12th century, this medieval structure is impressive with its real battlements, stone turrets and moat. It is, however, best known for its dark history of torture.

Gravensteen's astounding collection of torture devices is not for the faint of heart. It also showcases armour and weapons once used by knights. Don’t forget to pick up the free audio guide when you visit. It has rave reviews for its humorous narration.

The Atomium was originally built as the focal point of the 1958 Brussels Expo. Made up of steel spheres and tubes, this quirky-looking structure represents an iron crystal.

At 102 metres tall, the Atomium is one of the tallest buildings in the country. Soak up some beautiful views of Brussels from the highest sphere, which is also where you’ll find the Atomium Restaurant. The other spheres house exhibition spaces with historical and interactive displays. It can be fun exploring the maze of stairs and escalators that bridge the spheres. The Atomium ticket also gives you free admission to the Brussels Design Museum, located very close by.

The In Flanders Fields museum is located on a major battleground during World War I. It gives visitors an in-depth look into the historic conflicts using a variety of mediums including videos, soundscapes and workshops. There are also immersive displays that allow you to engage with personal stories of individuals who lived through the war.

In Flanders Fields Museum also houses many original artefacts such as weapons, gas masks and medical equipment. Its informative exhibits are designed to give us a sombre insight into wartime life and reflect on the consequences of war. Visit the gift shop for collections of wartime art, poetry and histographies.

Les Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert is Europe’s very first shopping arcade. It first opened in the mid-1800s and is composed of 3 parts: the Queen's Gallery, the Royal Gallery and the Prince Gallery

Beneath the glass-paned roofs, the arcades are lined with all kinds of interesting boutiques, some of which have been around since the original opening. You can find everything from books and delectable chocolates to fancy designer wear and jewellery. Stop by one of the charming coffee shops to soak in the atmosphere or head to the theatre to enjoy a concert or play. These historical arcades are conveniently located in the heart of Brussels and entry is free.

With cobblestoned alleyways and impeccably preserved gothic buildings, the historic centre of Brugge looks like something out of a fairy tale. This medieval town is best admired from its historic waterways. Hop on a boat and relish the breath-taking scenery as you sail past swans and stone bridges.

For a bird’s eye view of the town, ascend the belfry by the main square. Don’t miss a visit to the impressive Basilica of the Holy Blood, which houses a vial purportedly containing a drop of Christ’s blood. Snap a picture by the incredibly photogenic St. Boniface Bridge before rewarding yourself with a sweet treat from a local pastry shop.

Brussels' Comic Arts Museum and Comic Book Route showcase the past and present of Brussels’ comic book culture. The history of Belgian comics stretches all the way back to the early 19th century. To learn more about the history of comics, stop by the Comic Arts Museum, housed in a fanciful Art-Nouveau building.

Now, the city is home to the Comic Book Route, a collection of over 80 vibrant street murals that pay tribute to these comics and creators. Keep an eye open for the murals as you explore Brussels’ eclectic neighbourhoods. They all come with informative plaques that show you the location of nearby murals.

The collection of vintage cars housed in Brussels’ Autoworld is considered one of the best in the world. The whopping 300 or so vehicles housed here are mostly from private collections and include cars, bikes and trucks. Join in painting workshops and photography competitions or opt for a guided tour.

There are some special sections where you can check out micro and bubble cars, sports cars and vehicles once owned by the Belgian Royal family. The building itself is historically significant. It was built in 1880 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Kingdom of Belgium.

Oostend is a popular resort destination, known for its spectacular beaches and high-end accommodations. Groot Strand, meaning “Large Beach”, is a 2-km stretch of coastline packed with shops, restaurants and beach clubs.

Popular with day trippers, the area teems with activity in the summer. To escape the crowds, head to the eastern end of the beach. After soaking in the sun, take a stroll along the imposing marble columns of the Royal Galleries, an early 19th-century arcade located in the western part of the beach. Oostende is located 30 minutes by train from Brugge.

Chocolate Nation is a chocoholic’s dream come true. Sample decadent treats as you take a deep dive into the history of chocolate in the world’s largest Belgian chocolate museum.

You can learn how chocolate is made from cacao beans from a whimsical machine that looks like something out of a storybook, watch master chocolatiers in action at the atelier or treat yourself to something delectable at Restaurant Octave, the only bean-to-bar restaurant in the world. If you haven’t had your fill, pick up some chocolate to-go from the in-house gift shop.